Chafee Foster Care Program

As the state selected provider of the Chafee program, Epworth supports older foster care youth in their transition to independence and self-sufficiency by providing educational, financial, and employment assistance.

Epworth’s Chafee program prepares and equips current or former foster care youth ages 14 through 23 residing in St. Louis City or St. Louis County with the skills needed to successfully transition to independence and achieve self-sufficiency. Young adults enrolled in the Chafee program choose their level of participation within the following services:

Group Life Skills Classes held twice per week at Epworth’s Drop In Center

Available individual supports to complement group life skills education

Financial assistance with extracurricular activities such as senior prom expenses and purchasing work attire for new employment

Obtaining legal documents including birth certificates, social security cards, and state IDs

College readiness activities like college tours and applications, financial aid education and assistance accessing financial aid resources for college, and financial assistance with dorm start-up kits

Employment assistance in resume preparation, interviewing skills, support with employment searches, and education to support maintenance of employment skills

Comprehensive Case Management Services:

Securing academic tutoring

Opening a bank account and an Individual Development Account (IDA) savings plan